Football: Todaro Wins Player Of The Week

Football: Todaro Wins Player Of The Week

When Lavaca’s Anthony Todaro gives credit to his offensive line, he knows what he is talking about. As a three-year starter in the Golden Arrows’ backfield, Todaro is seeing holes like never before.

“This is the best line we have had since I have been here,” Todaro said. “When you get through the line, they have already cleared it out downfield and I have a lot more space to work with. Before, I would have to look for a move as soon as I hit the line.”

Todaro was unleashed for 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries as Lavaca beat Elkins, 44-21, last week. Todaro is the Times Record Player of the Week.

“He has kind of been our workhorse since he was a sophomore,” Lavaca head coach Mark Headley said. “This year, the line has improved to give him some help and we have a few more guys in the backfield that can spread it around a little bit. I think he is going to have a great senior season.”

At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Todaro is one of the fastest guys in the 3A-4 with 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash. He plays wide receiver and also safety on defense.

“He has the kind of speed where he can take it all the way any time he touches the ball,” Headley said. “Our job has been to find ways to get him the ball without wearing him out. We are getting him in a little better shape because we need him on the field almost every down. When we go to the spread he is an inside receiver that can burn you and on defense he plays the middle of the field and runs everything down. He has very good football instincts, too.”

Todaro went to camps at Arkansas State and Central Arkansas and would like to get a chance to play college ball. Arkansas Tech and Hendrix College have shown the most interest so far. He also has grade point average of better than 3.5.

“Playing in college is something I would love to do,” Todaro said. “Right now I am focusing on my teammates and our season at Lavaca. This team has a lot of heart and has worked hard and when we pull together we have the potential to beat a lot of people. We are just going to go out and see what we can do.”

Honorable Mentions

• Arkoma’s Talon Woolsey rushed for 61 yards and two TDs and also intercepted a pass on defense as the Mustangs posted a 66-28 win against Bokoshe.

• Matt Berry of Booneville scored two touchdowns rushing, caught a pass for 43 yards and made an interception on defense to help the Bearcats beat Gravette, 41-24.

• Cedarville’s Corey Fincher rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and also had six tackles and an interception on defense to help the Pirates beat Conway Christian, 26-21.

• Charleston quarterback Ty Storey was 32-of-47 for 394 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers beat Gentry, 23-15.

• Clarksville’s Steve Banyard ran for 62 yards and clinched the Panthers’ first win against Ozark since 2009 with a 34-yard touchdown run.

• Greenwood’s Jabe Burgess returned to play for the first time after an offseason broken foot. The senior quarterback threw for 179 yards on 15-of-26 attempts for three TDs in a 47-7 win against Alma.

• Bo Patterson of Mansfield rushed 14 times for 126 yards and score four touchdowns as the Tigers beat Greenland, 49-6.

• Paris’ Devin Ellingburg carried 11 times for 143 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Eagles beat Waldron, 35-7.

• Pocola’s Kyle Highley caught two passes for 100 yards and two TDs and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a 73-29 win against Haileyville.

• Poteau quarterback Jace Pitchford passed for 122 yards and two TDs while rushing for 131 yards and three TDs as the Pirates outlasted Van Buren, 43-40.

• Roland’s Gavin Lynch recorded six tackles and also returned an interception 73 yards for a TD in the Rangers’ 40-12 win against Panama.